The Deed of Reading: Literature * Writing * Language * Philosophy

267 Pages·2015·2.383 MB·

by  Garrett Stewart

THE DEED OF READING
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THE DEED OF READING
Literature
Writing
Language
Philosophy
GARRETT STEWART
Cornell University Press
Ithaca & London
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Copyright © 2015 by Cornell University
All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof,
must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.
For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street,
Ithaca, New York 14850.
First published 2015 by Cornell University Press
First printing, Cornell Paperbacks, 2015
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stewart, Garrett, author.
The deed of reading : literature * writing * language * philosophy / Garrett Stewart.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8014-5421-9 (cloth : alk. paper) —
ISBN 978-1-5017-0048-4 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1.Literature—Philosophy. 2. Books and reading—Philosophy. 3. Language and
languages—Philosophy. I. Title.
PN45.S854 2015
801—dc23 2015012130
Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppliers and
materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materials
include vegetable-based, low-VOC inks and acid-free papers that are recycled, totally
chlorine-free, or partly composed of nonwood fibers. For further information, visit our
website at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu.
Cloth printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Paperback printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Cover art: Brian Dettmer, Deep Reading of the Deed of Reading, 2015, carved
manuscript. Courtesy of the artist and P.P.O.W Gallery, New York.
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To Stanley
for introducing so much to literary study,
including Tim Gould to me
To Tim
for teaching us the full reach of Cavell’s philosophic thought
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CONTENTS
Fore Word 1
PART I. TOWARD A FORMATIVE POETICS
1. Induction 21
2. Secondary Vocality 41
3. Errands of the Ear 76
PART II. THE PROSAICS OF POTENTIAL
4. Imp-aired Words 105
5. Splitting the Difference 142
6. Talking Room 181
After Wording 209
Notes 227
Index 251
vii
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THE DEED OF READING
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